Best Italian Tortellini and Sausage Soup Recipe

This Italian tortellini and sausage soup is a flavorful blend of Italian seasoning, salty sausage and cheese tortellini simmered in rich stock. Its the ultimate comforting soup for a cold winter day.

 After a long day I rarely find I want to stand over a large pot and chop vegetables. But not all soup recipes are created equal and on this very cold, blistery day this soup just works. I use my 5-quart Dutch oven for this one but any large pot will do. After browning the sausage and adding a few ingredients, I am ready to bring it to a low boil to cook the best tortellini I can find. Within minutes we have a warm bowl of comforting soup to enjoy.

You’ll want to keep this Italian sausage tortellini soup recipe the next time you find yourself at the end of a long day or in general wanting a hearty soup that only takes minutes to make. 

Italian Tortellini and Sausage Soup Is…

• A family favorite soup and the perfect meal for a chilly day.
• One of the best soups to make for busy weeknights.
• A complete meal in a soup pot.
• A flavorful tortellini soup that keeps for up to 3-4 days.
• A simple stove top recipe for a quick soup.

Ingredients

​Pasta- I use cheese-filled tortellini pasta and use either the rainbow or plainly colored pastas for this. You can opt to use stuffed tortellini but keep in mind we are adding a variety of flavors to the pot so you will want to have a mild tortellini for this. 

Sausage- I use mild Italian sausage but if you like a spicy kick you can use spicy Italian sausage for this. Either use links taken out of the casing or ground Italian sausage. You can also use turkey sausage or pork sausage for this. 

Spinach- fresh spinach over frozen spinach is best however, either works. 

Garlic- use fresh large garlic cloves.

Herbs- I like to use dried Italian seasoning and a large bay leaf for this soup but you can also use fresh herbs if you have some on hand. You will need roughly three times the amount listed in the recipe since dried is much more potent than fresh herbs. 

Stock- use a good quality stock for this. I like to use chicken stock or my homemade vegetable broth. The pasta will absorb the stock as it sits, especially if eaten the following day. Its a good idea to keep extra stock on hand to add to the soup when reheating.

Tomatoes- use canned diced tomatoes to add chunkiness to the soup. But you can use crushed tomatoes as well if you prefer.

Seasoning- freshly ground cracked black pepper and sea salt season the soup perfectly. You can use standard table salt and pepper if you prefer.

Parmesan Cheese- I like to garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan, this is completely optional. 

Directions

In a large pot add the Italian sausage and begin browning over medium heat. If using links make sure to remove the casing and break down the sausage as it cooks. When the sausage is just about done, add the cup of tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, cracked pepper, and bay leaf. Stir it. Next, add the chicken stock to the pot.

Bring to a bit of a simmer but not a rolling boil. Place the spinach in the pot. Then add your tortellini pasta and let it simmer for about 5 minutes or until they begin floating.

Give it a good stir to combine it. Once the 5 minutes of tortellini cooking time is up your soup is ready to serve. Finish off with a fresh shaving of parmesan cheese (optional).

Cooking Tips

• I use crumble Italian sausage for this recipe but you use spicy Italian for a kick and even whole sausages. Just be sure to remove the casings and break the sausage up with the wooden spoon as it cooks.
• For reheating, have some extra stock on hand as the noodles tend to absorb the stock when sitting in the fridge.
• The pasta will absorb the liquid when sitting in the fridge. So if making ahead, make the soup with everything but the pasta until you are ready to serve it. When ready, heat the soup in a large stock pot and have it come to a simmer. Add the pasta. The soup is ready when the tortellini begin floating.
• If reheating later, be sure to save a few cups of stock as the noodles will absorb the liquid as it sits.

Serving Suggestions

This soup is very hearty and filling on its own. But here are some suggestions of items that work well when serving this soup.

• A tossed green salad pairs well with any soup but especially a hearty soup like this one.
• Serve alongside bread sticks or even a rustic loaf of bread like this No Knead Artisan Loaf.
• If you are looking for a dessert to pair with this Tortellini and Sausage Soup check out this Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler.
• For gatherings, serving a simple tomato basil salad would be a great addition.

How To Store

Store leftover soup in an airtight container or a freezer bag. First allow the soup to come to room temperature and then place in the fridge. The soup will keep for up to 3-4 days. When reheating the soup you will need more broth or stock as the pasta absorbs it as it sits. 

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no cost to you).

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If you try this recipe and love it, I would appreciate you coming back to give it 5 stars!